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| All contents and photographs copyright Matt Rowlings, ©2003-2008. |
| Photos: explicit permission must be obtained from Matt Rowlings for any use of any images from eurobutterflies.com. |
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Large Blue
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Cluj, Romania, June 2006 |
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Isère, France, 1600m, July 2006 form obscura |
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Distribution: From N Spain and eastwards to Italy, Greece and southern Scandinavia. Extinct in the UK due to the loss of the short turf habitat when rabbits died out during the myxamotosis crisis. Recently successfully reintroduced to a dozen or so sites in SW England. Identification: Its large size and strong markings make this a
distinctive butterfly. However, some of the other Maculinea species are
similar. Please see the At higher altitudes the form obscura predominates. The upperside black borders are extended inwards, often substantially, in this form, but it is indistinguishable from the normal form from the underside. Flight time: Single brooded flying from the end of May to early August, depending on location and atlitude. The majority of my records are from July and early August. Habitat: Grassy places with flowers, especially Thyme (Thymus) the larval food plant. Usually dry habitats which, presumably, suites species of the the ant genus Myrmica on which the larvae also feed. See the section on Behaviour below. Frequently amongst bushes or woodland edges. Behaviour: This butterfly displays an extreme adaptation during its larval stages. It was many years of failed breeding attempts before life cycle secret was discovered. The female lays her eggs as any butterfly and the young larvae feed on the leaves of Thyme (Thymus). At the third larval instar the larva stops eating leaves and wanders. It will die unless ants find it. The ants are attracted to a sweet sugary excretion generated by a gland on the back of the larva. The ants take their prize (the sugar producing larva) back to the nest where they tend to it. Unfortunately for the ants the larva commences eating the ant larvae. The ants don't seem to notice though and the butterfly gains immense benefit of a plentiful source of high protein meals plus defence against almost all predators hidden away deep inside the ant's nest. |
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Valais, Switzerland 1800m, July 2006 mountain form obscura |
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Macedonia, Greece, July 2004 |
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Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004 |
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Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004 |
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Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004 |
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Macedonia, Greece, July 2004 |
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Macedonia, Greece, July 2004 |
